Yoshida claims PlayStation believes Xbox is still their only true competitor, but the truth is they don’t have one any more

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PlayStation vs Xbox is a tale as old as, well, let’s be honest, it’s only existed since 2001. Following the launch of the original Xbox with the shiny, mind-blowing Halo: Combat Evolved, the two console manufactures have been butting heads, all while Nintendo is off doing its own thing in the corner. “Look, ‘ma! My console’s a cube!”

For a while, Xbox and PlayStation was a vicious battle with killer exclusives, deep hardware discounts to shaft the other and many a snarky E3 conference. As Nintendo Switch 2 cracks console launch records, PlayStation is still adamant that Nintendo isn’t their number one threat, and I don’t believe that.

Speaking on the Kit & Krysta podcast, ex-PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida explained that the current version of PlayStation believes “their competition is always Xbox”.

“They see Microsoft as being their competition, because Xbox is very similar performance hardware. You know, high-end console, mature games,” the former PlayStation head explained. “And Nintendo is very different. Family friendly, games for everyone. Not about technologies, more about having fun with friends and families … So, inside Sony, even when they do a business analysis, Nintendo doesn’t show up even.”

Yes, as it stands, Xbox is technically the only home console out alongside PlayStation, but is it really competing? Xbox Series hardware has sold well, but not in comparison to PS5, and the lack of true exclusives is simply pushing players towards PlayStation or PC with the remaining console players simply beholden to Game Pass for the most part.

Just like Nintendo used to, Xbox is in the corner playing with its own toys. Xbox wants a go at the Big Boy PC marketplace with rumours claiming multiple storefronts will even be available on the next-gen version of Microsoft’s machine. On the other hand, the PlayStation 6 is simply expected to be another PlayStation, which is great for players who want that. (I do!)

However, Nintendo is now the obvious competitor, especially as graphics technologies plateau and even the playing field. PlayStation wants more family-friendly games like its massively successful Astro Bot. Who makes those? Nintendo. Sure, Nintendo isn’t going all-in on mature, cinematic first-party adventures with gritty, realistic stories, but Sony has also butchered its own generation by slagging those off in favour of live-service platforms it then cancels before release. (Or two weeks after if we’re talking about Concord.)

The biggest point of contention, though, is the handheld space. Once upon a time, Sony actually invested in handhelds with the PSP and the underrated PS Vita, but it chucked in the towel. However, the company is allegedly jumping back into the fray with a brand-new PS6 handheld, something that will directly compete with Nintendo Switch 2, or 3, and whatever Xbox is cooking up.

“They see Microsoft as being their competition, because Xbox is very similar performance hardware. You know, high-end console, mature games.”

FORMER PLAYSTATION HEAD SHUHEI YOSHIDA

The original Nintendo Switch was woefully outdated the day it released, but it was a powerful look forward at what millions of gamers actually wanted: full AAA games on the go with little compromise, and PlayStation has obviously taken notice. Nintendo is a competitor, a real one, even if they are playing with their own toys. Unfortunately, every console manufacturer is playing with their own toys, and only PlayStation still thinks they’re actually still fighting.

It’s a shame, really, as I love the console format, and I loved when Xbox and Nintendo both actually cared about beating their competitors instead of doing their own thing. But, let’s be honest, PlayStation is lucky that the console ecosystem has changed to a point where Nintendo and Xbox aren’t interested in fighting because this generation has been rough for PS5. If Xbox actually put in some effort, it might’ve even taken a late-gen win, but PlayStation is now standing in a battlefield on its lonesome.

About the Author

Lewis White

Lewis White is a veteran games journalist with a decade of experience writing news, reviews, features and investigative pieces about game development with a focus on Halo and Xbox.